Nutrition and economic evaluation of a targeted food assistance program in selected municipalities of Laguna [Philippines]

The study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional and economic effects of the targeted Food Assistance program in selected municipalities of Laguna [Philippines] namely, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Sta. Maria and Famy. Data were gathered by means of interviews and surveys. Weights of children ages 0 to 83 months were obtained from the OPT [Operation Timbang] and assessment was conducted with the use of a Rapid Screening Weight for Age Table. Nutrient intake was determined with the use of a semi-quantified food frequency questionnaire and nutrient costs were calculated. Data collected were analyzed with the simple statistics, analysis of variance and DMRT. Results showed that the program implementation deviated from its program design in terms of its components such as primary health care services, nutrition education, targeting, size and type of rations distributed. More importantly, nutritional assessment showed insignificant weight change to contribute to a change in nutritional status. Nutrient contribution was more from non-rations than rations, therefore, the use of rations cannot be attributed to the change in nutritional status if there was any. Nutrient cost of energy and protein followed an increasing trend from the time of its initial phase out period in spite of a decrease in number of beneficiaries and quantity of commodities received by GOP [Government of the Philippines]. Cost per nutrient were found to be higher compared to the local rations, KALINGA, for a smaller amount of serving portion. Since TFAP [Targeted Food Assistance Program] was at its phase out period, limited participation and distribution of PL 480 commodities, participation of agencies, lack of incentives for the BNS/BHW's [Barangay Health Worker's] targeting of recipients and the shift of type of commodities from NFDM [non-fat dried milk] to bulgur wheat and green peas were all contributory to making the program less cost effective. Factors found to help ensure the success of future TFAP are effective weighing procedures such as the OPT, motivation and commitment of health volunteers as well as their ability to motivate recipient participation, and the provision of a more acceptable as well as immunization, vitamin supplementation, income generating programs, and nutrition education be it in the form of an individual counseling or class type which would allow for a cooking demonstration